September 4, 2008

Nie Nie benefit for the month of Sept.

Last week I was checking out my google reader and kept coming across the story of Stephanie and Christian (you can see all about it HERE and HERE). They are the parents of 4 beautiful kids ranging from age 1-6. They were recently involved in a plane crash and are in critical condition with burns on 80% of their body. I have never met this family, but my heart goes out to them. My wife and I have 4 little ones as well, and as a husband and father I can't imagine what their entire family is experiencing. As soon as I saw their story I wanted to do something to help. I'm a little late to be joining in on this. So I came up with something else. And along with your participation we can all help this family in a what could be a really big way.

ANNOUNCEMENT

For the month of Sept, all proceeds from every family session booked and all reprint orders from the sessions will be donated to the Nie Nie foundation which helps with the family's medical bills and recovery. Again, 100% of all proceeds will be donated to this family.

Here is the 411.

Family sessions are $250 which includes the sitting for up to 6 people. It is $25 per additional person. The session lasts 1 hour. It includes online hosting of all the images for 9 months along with a custom 8x10 print. All prints after the session are ordered a la carte. AGAIN, ALL REPRINT SALES ARE DONATED TO THIS FAMILY AS WELL.

This is a great opportunity to get that family pict you have been putting off AND at the same time be able to help this family in a big way. And for your tax guy, every penny you spend is completely deductible as a charitable contribution.

To book your session, please call me at 801.358.3151 or email me at jonathan{at}jonathancanlasphotography{dot}com.

***UPDATE***

I've had some inquiries for out of state sessions. I am available for travel to do these session on a limited basis. First, it would have to be mid-week as I have weddings every weekend in Sept. There also must be at least 4 families lined up for sessions. Travel fees apply.

I will be in Denver/Fort Collins on the 15th/16th and in Chico/Sacramento on the 26th-28th.

How many sessions am I doing? I do have 5 weddings in Sept but other than that it is completely up to you. The goal is to raise 10k for this family (crazy I know but totally attainable). And the good news is, if that goal is reached, each participating family receives a disc of their session.

Again, this promotion goes for the whole month of September. Now, lets get crackin at some family picts!

If you don't need a family picture and still want to help, you can donate directly by clicking the icon below.

73 comments:

Jonathan ... This is amazing and so generous of you! I would love to be a part of this, but I live an 8 hr drive away in CO. If I could get a certain number of families to commit here, would you consider traveling for a fee???

I don't know this family either, but I get huge goose bumps whenever I hear about them. I'm happy to hear about their family here. I'm also very happy to see families everywhere working to help this family. I'll do what I can to spread the word.

awesome, jon. i hope you get lots of bookings and meet your goal. a session for us is out of the question, as we are off to barbados again in two weeks, but i'll donate via the link. thanks for spreading the word.

Jonathan...I have to say I am completely overcome with emotion right now. I don't know the family either but have become quite consumed with their story. Your willingness to do this is so much more than generous. I have wanted a photoshoot with you for years...now that I can have that (after talking to my husband...of course :)) and help with this cause...I am over the moon. You are an amazing person.

Jon you never cease to amaze us! Deboro and I are expecting at the end of Sept and would love to have you take our first family portrait and contribute to this cause. We'll shoot you an email to set something up. Deboro say's to tell you that you are "the bomb.com" for doing this.

this post has been online for a little over 24 hours. right now, we have 4 families signed up with a handful of others getting times/dates lined up to make it work. Leo will be helping out as well if this gets as crazy busy as I think it will become.

Yes, and no. The shoots must be booked this month and used this month. Thus the promotion for the whole month of Sept. HOWEVER, there are exceptions for military families. Please contact me directly.

Will you travel to (X) to do the session?

YES. However, there must be at least 4 families lined up to do the shoot. ALSO, the sessions must all take place in the same vicinity. In other words, if I head out to San Fran, the shoots must be in the same city, not in Oakland. There is a travel fee involved to cover my travel to each city. The total of the travel will be billed separately from the sessions.

Can I hire you to do a wedding/bridal/engagement/any other random shoot for a donation?

This is insanely generous of you but at this time, this promotion is for family sessions only that are booked in and shot in the month of Sept. Again, you can donate directly to the family HERE.

The response so far is OVERWHELMING. Leo Patrone has also offered to step in and help with sessions in the case that there is not enough of me to go around.

John- how amazing of you! It's been a long time since we last ran into you and your wife. We still love the wedding photos you did for us and one day we will have to hire you again when you aren't so booked! Hello for the Calls

I am so impressed with your generousity. This family (extended as well) has touched the hearts of many. I cannot imagine where this story will go, but we are all blessed to learn of them. God bless you too! I wish I was closer (Boston) I would so want a pic!!

I live in the Denver area and would be interested while you are here on the weekend of the 16th. I can try to rally other families if it is necessary - if you don't already have enough families. You can email me at calcarlston@hotmail.com with more details or times that you have available while you are here.

What happened to this family is such a tragic thing. I have been keeping them in my thoughts and prayers daily. What an answer to prayers you are by being so generous and doing this. I can't even begin to imagine the endless amount of hospital bills there are and let alone the other daily finacial obligations that have been picked up by family. What a great way to help this family out!!! Your a great man for doing this!! :) Thank you!!!

Do you still have openings for the weekend you will be in Denver? I am interested in you shooting our family that weekend if there is availability still. Please let me know -- rachelamiller@hotmail.com.Thanks.

Unbelievable - your generosity - it is TRULY overwhelming! I can't even properly type my message to you thru my tears. I wish each and every day that those darling babies could have their momma back to tuck them in at night and whisper love stories in their precious little ears. My heart just breaks for this lovely family. Thanks to YOU for doing this for them. How selfless and right.

hi callie and jonathan!! i wish that we still lived in utah...i would snag your services in a heartbeat! i have been wanting to use you forever...now that my family is complete i would love to get some pics done. so if you are ever in austin, tx, let me know! we are in desperate need of a great family photo!

I have been keeping up with this story and LOVE that you are doing this...beyond awesome! I will be checking your site daily to see if you will be close to central Texas anytimein Sept. If so I will book something!The world needs more people like you!

Jonathan, Thank you soooooo much for being so willing to dedicate your time and energy to helping the Nielsen family. Also please thank your wife and children for being willing to have you gone for so long to do all these beautiful photo sessions. Bless you and your family!! :)

Jon, you are following in your father's footsteps with your generosity and service. He would be very proud of the man that you are. I am too! It is a wonderful opportunity you have to give to a family in need. I love you, son. Love you,Mom

John- I saw your blog off following the Stephanie/Christian story. You are such a great guy anyway, but you are definitely a giver! Looks like you are still doing great. Good to see business is thriving! I may have to look you up to do family pics some day.Kate Winsor (Kate Church...from the Colony days).

anyone else in near lake michigan interested? (we live in northern Indiana, but can go to the chicago area or into michigan) the last family picture we had was three kids ago. would love to participate in this.